This month my family and I accomplished something I've been dreaming about for a long time. In case you missed it, Main Street Quilt Company was selected as one of the top 10 shops in the nation and featured in the Spring/Summer issue of Quilt Sampler.

In case you really did miss it, go here to learn more!

After several months of clandestine planning, elevated stress levels, flat-out panic and finally eager anticipation, the moment is finally here. The magazine is out and the response has been overwhelming. Thank you again to everyone for your support and good wishes!

After realizing a big dream like this, the next question that comes up is: so, what’s next? Well, more of the same!  We can’t rest now. Quilters know there is always a UFO to work on, another gift to be made (maybe a 10-minute table runner?), more fabric to go gaga over and another quilt to start. It is never-ending with us as there is always something to do.  But for now, let’s celebrate! This weekend is our big Open House to celebrate the magazine and our 7^th Anniversary. Make plans now to stop by and pick up your copy of Quilt Sampler, and if you want, I’ll even sign it for you!

We’ll be open Friday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and have refreshments, door prizes, oh, and 20 percent off store-wide! We hope to see you at the shop this weekend.

The quilt I designed for the magazine, “In Perfect Harmony,” has one more important stop before it comes back to me (more on that below), but the smaller version of the quilt remains at the shop so you can see for yourself the amazing colors and fabrics. I used fabrics from my favorite designer Kim Diehl’s Heritage Hollow and Butter Churn Basics lines.

We have kits available for the queen-size version and the smaller wall hanging. When you purchase the kit you’ll receive all the same fabrics I used to make your own In Perfect Harmony quilt.

If you want to read more about the quilt, Joy Voltenburg, a quilter from Sullivan, Illinois, wrote about quilting In Perfect Harmony on her blog here. Many of our customers have used Joy for their quilting with much success and I can honestly say I owe her big time. She dropped everything to help me finish this top secret project on deadline.

After all this celebrating in Shelbyville, I’ll be heading off to Quilt Market in Minneapolis. I can’t tell you how excited I am about this trip. To begin with, Market is amazing on its own - seeing (and touching) all the new lines, notions, quilts and patterns and speaking to manufacturers and designers, oh my! On top of that there is a reception and formal introduction of the Top 10 shop owners.  This is where I will finally meet up with In Perfect Harmony again as the quilt will be hanging at market!

It is going to be hard to top the first months of 2015 as I have accomplished several goals but I know we can do it. I promise to come back from Market with even more great patterns, fabrics and ideas. Like I said earlier, it never ends. There will always be more fabric, more quilts, more patterns, more notions, more ideas… and I can’t wait to share them with you on this blog.

Reminders:

Don’t forget to pick up your Modern Building Blocks packet when you come in. This month our color is: Pink

Why not meet your friends for a night of sewing at the shop. UFO Sewing Evening is on the third Monday of the month. This month it is Monday, May 18, beginning at 5 p.m. If you haven’t joined us for this evening you must start now. Just bring your machine (or handwork if you prefer) and your unfinished projects for an entertaining evening of stitching and chatter. The fee is $5 and a light dinner is provided! Be sure to pre-register by calling us at 774-3484.

Two BOM classes meet on Saturday, May 23, with Kate: Green Tea and Sweet Beans from 9-noon and  Bluebird Sampler from 1 to 3 p.m.